C# Ultralocrian Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
C# Ultralocrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C# Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Ukulele, its notes are C#, D, E, F, G, A, Bb. It is used in avant-garde jazz and dark ambient music to explore the most dissonant boundaries of minor-key tonality. Commonly used in Avant-Garde, Dark Ambient, Experimental Jazz. Notable players include John Zorn, Derek Bailey. Use over dim7 chords in avant-garde contexts. More of a compositional tool than an improvisational one.
Notes: C#, D, E, F, G, A, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4d, 5d, 6m, 7d
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Formula: H-W-H-W-W-H-WH
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminished
How to Play C# Ultralocrian on Ukulele
On ukulele, find C# on the open strings or work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 7 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The C# Ultralocrian scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. Its relative major is E major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the C# Ultralocrian scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C#-E, D-F) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C# to let the characteristic intervals of the Ultralocrian scale come through clearly.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the C# Ultralocrian scale sounds particularly charming when played as a melodic pattern over fingerpicked chord shapes. Try integrating scale tones into your strumming patterns for a more sophisticated sound.
The C# Ultralocrian scale contains 7 notes (C#, D, E, F, G, A, Bb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C# Ultralocrian
The C# Ultralocrian scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C# Ultralocrian Further
- Harmonize the C# Ultralocrian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C# Ultralocrian on Guitar
- C# Ultralocrian on Bass
- C# Ultralocrian on Piano